The first round of off-season moves for the women’s Tier-1 counties is in, and while the lists are short, the shifts hint at how sides want to shape up for 2026.
Yorkshire have landed the headline signing, persuading England leg-spinner Sarah Glenn to swap The Blaze for Headingley. “The chance to bowl at Headingley and work with the group up here felt too good to pass up,” she said in a brief statement. Head coach Dani Hazell called the move “a real boost for our spin stocks”, adding that Glenn’s experience “will be priceless for the younger bowlers”. Yorkshire have also promoted teenager Olivia Thomas, continuing their habit of blending youth with senior internationals.
The Blaze, unsurprisingly, had work to do. Surrey seamer Emma Jones arrives after limited first-team chances at The Oval. “A fresh start was important,” she explained. “The Blaze have been crystal-clear about the role they see for me.”
Surrey themselves offset that loss by awarding academy graduate Emily Burke her first deal and bringing in batter-keeper Rachel King. Alexa Stonehouse heads to Warwickshire on loan; Bears coach Laura MacLeod labelled the left-armer “an ideal fit for Edgbaston’s early-season pitches”. Warwickshire’s other new face is Mary Taylor, signed from Hampshire and tipped to bat in the top three.
Hampshire, meanwhile, promote seamer Pippa Sproul, but lose Taylor and, more tellingly, see Freya Davies hang up her boots. “I’ve loved every minute of the game but it’s the right moment to step away,” Davies said. The county also released Daisy Mullan as they clear room for younger bowlers.
Somerset have replaced the retired Fran Wilson by elevating academy batter Bea Willis. “Bea has scored heavy club runs and deserves her shot,” director of cricket Paul Bridgman noted. Lancashire’s only confirmed departure is Liberty Heap, a hard-hitting top-order option who joins Essex to bolster their powerplay striking, while Hannah Rainey is released.
Durham remain silent on recruitment for now, though insiders suggest a top-order signing is close. No county has yet confirmed an overseas player; most are waiting on international schedules before signing off.
Early days, then, but the direction of travel is clear: established internationals such as Glenn remain in demand, and counties are unashamedly promoting teenagers to fill gaps elsewhere.
